SLIPPER TO BECOME MOST CAPPED WALLABY OF ALL TIME IN BLEDISLOE ONE
Gold Coast junior and Wallaby number 843 James Slipper will become the most capped Wallaby of all-time when he runs out for his 140th Test on Saturday afternoon at Accor Stadium.
Making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.
A stalwart of Australian Rugby, Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most capped Test prop ever in International Rugby.
In further team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after fully recovering from their injuries. The openside flanker is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.
Maitland junior Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.
Wright’s return sees Andrew Kellaway shift back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge. Len Ikitau will reignite his combination with Paisami in the midfield.
Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou the run on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run on locks, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson, joining McReight as the loose forward trio.
Western Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021after returning to Australian Rugby from France earlier this year. He’ll join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to cover the backrow.
Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight Test, with Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.”
“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”
Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallabies Test streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD. Wallabies matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.
Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday September 21 at 3:45pm AEST
1. Angus Bell (31 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
2. Matt Faessler (10 Tests) – USQ Saint
3. Taniela Tupou (54 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
4. Nick Frost (19 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
5. Jeremy Williams (6 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
6. Rob Valetini (46 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
7. Fraser McReight (20 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
8. Harry Wilson (c) (17 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
9. Nic White (69 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
10. Noah Lolesio (23 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
11. Marika Koroibete (62 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji
12. Hunter Paisami (29 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
13. Len Ikitau (33 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
14. Andrew Kellaway (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
15. Tom Wright (31 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles
Substitutes
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14 Tests) – Southern Districts
17. James Slipper (139 Tests) – Bond Pirates
18. Allan Alaalatoa (74 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35 Tests) – Randwick
20. Langi Gleeson (7 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
21. Tate McDermott (35 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
22. Tom Lynagh (3 Tests) – University of Queensland
23. Dylan Pietsch (2 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms
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